On the beat

Goforth to bring bluegrass to WCU

Acclaimed bluegrass musician Josh Goforth will perform as part of the First Thursday concert series at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, in the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University.

On top of coming from a long line of mountain pickers, Goforth is more recently known for his collaborations with musician/historian David Holt. The concert will last an hour and will be followed by an open jam session during which traditional musicians of all skill levels are invited to participate.

The First Thursday series of concerts and open jams include some of the region’s best old-time and bluegrass musicians. The events align with “North Carolina: Our State, Our Time” programs given across WCU that explore historical, social and cultural impacts that have shaped the state.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have Porch 40 (funk/rock) Feb. 26 and PMA (rock/funk) with Darren & The Buttered Toast (funk/soul) Feb. 27. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Oconaluftee Visitors Center (Cherokee) will have an old-time music jam from 1 to 3 p.m. March 7. All skill levels welcomed.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have Pam McCall Feb. 27, The Old Hippie Band March 6 and Nick Prestia March 7. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will have Mark Lowry & The Martins (gospel) at 7:30 p.m. March 6. Tickets start at $20. 866.273.4615 or www.greatmountainmusic.com.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will have an Productive Paranoia (Americana/bluegrass) Feb. 26 (tickets cost $5 in advance, $8 at the door) and Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/bluegrass) March 5 (tickets cost $12 in advance, $15 at the door). All events begin at 7:30 p.m. www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have James Stinnet (singer-songwriter) at 8 p.m. Feb. 27. Free.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present a Faculty Woodwind Recital on Feb. 27 in the Coulter Building. There will also be a Symphony Band concert March 3 and Mountain Winds concert March 4 in the Bardo Arts Center. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. www.wcu.edu.